Hivemind Q: Next week I have to go to some meetings in Savannah. The publisher who sponsors these meetings also pays our way and makes the arrangements. One of the arrangements they make is for a big-ass limo ride to/from the airport (the last time I could have turned cartwheels in the damn thing -- it's very diamond shoes, but why couldn't they just pay for a nice, normal, anonymous cab ride?).

So the question is: Do I tip the driver? What do I tip, since I don't have the cost of the ride as a starting point from which to work?

So the question is: Do I tip the driver? What do I tip, since I don't have the cost of the ride as a starting point from which to work?

when someone else is paying, I assume that the gratuity is taken care of. However, if the driver is exceptionally attentive/helpful, it couldn't hurt.

The usual travelling default of a buck or two per bag?

Ailleann, I'm so sorry. Gah.

Of course, there's a balance to be drawn and when my players get hit by a ball I know they're as much shocked and scared as they are hurt. And it hurts plenty. That's something that I always acknowledge and validate with them. But it's usually not damaging and that's kind of the distinction. Learning to deal with painful things that aren't really injurious. Not more than a bruise.

That's a valuable lesson.

We've (so far) been pretty good about this balance in toddlerdom. I notice Lillian's a lot better about picking herself up and moving along than babies whose parents react with alarm any time they take a tumble. She's learned that you may slip and startle yourself, but it's not worth making a huge fuss over, because we react calmly.

Of course, amusingly, I'm a Big Huge Baby when it comes to anticipation of pain. I swear, I wasn't growing up.

I just left three messages about apartments just now, and we have an appointment to re-look at one tonight. We rescinded our offer on the apartment we decided we really didn't want.

I notice Lillian's a lot better about picking herself up and moving along than babies whose parents react with alarm any time they take a tumble.

Parental reaction is key with toddlers. Some parents never seem to figure it out. If the child is really hurt, he or she will make it clear before they ever even look for you. If he or she is mostly frightened and not so hurt, s/he'll look to see how you're reacting before s/he reacts. We used to (cheerfully) shout things like oh-oh, or woah, or safe! It usually brought on the giggles, instead of the sobs.

Good luck, sj. I can't wait until you find yourselves a nice, new place, where you can actually relax and feel at home, when you're at home. This has gone on so long.

stumbles in, collapses, waves weakly

Howdy! Miss me?

Hey, I recognize that lump in the corner.

Always! Where/how you been, sweetcheeks?